Madams of DC Tour: Uncover Hidden History
5.0
61 Ratings
Washington
Uncover the hidden history of DC on the Madams of DC Tour. Explore the red light district of Pennsylvania Avenue during the Civil War and learn about the influential women who worked in brothels.
Duration:
2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Freedom Plaza - Where Freedom Plaza is now once used to be the notorious neighborhood known as Murder Bay. As we walk through this spacious open area currently used for festivals and music events, you’ll hear all about the taverns, gambling houses, and brothels popular with Northern Arm soldiers that used to stand there.
What's Included
- Two hours of engaging tour with an expert guide.
- No additional entry fees required.
What's Not Included
- Refreshments at Hill Country BBQ half-way stop.
Additional Information
This excursion is made available every first Friday and the third Thursday of every month. Please refer to the website for the precise timing. Private tours for all excursions are available as well.
The ‘Madams in DC’ tour provides a unique view of DC’s past that can’t be found elsewhere. The Civil War profoundly changed the Capital, converting Pennsylvania Avenue into a prominent street in the red light district adorned with brothels, pubs, theaters, and commercial businesses. It’s challenging to visualize, especially now that it’s populated with towering government structures! You’ll gain knowledge about how the women who were employed in these bordellos navigated their lives, and even influenced governmental matters.
- Guests must be able to be on their feet for at least 2 hours.
Location
1401 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest
The meeting point is in front of the Willard Center, next to the Occidental on Pennsylvania Avenue NW. Look for the guide wearing the costume!
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(61 Ratings)
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Christinapb3617lh
Mar 20, 2024
A wonderful tour of the history of DC during the civil war, but from the perspective of some DC's notorious women! - Katie was a very knowledgeable, friendly, and charismatic tour guide. I loved getting to learn more about DC as a city and spend time exploring away from the National Mall. It expanded my appreciation for our nation's capital. I'm lucky to live nearby and will gladly return to partake in Katie's other tours!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Frankg743
Nov 7, 2023
Fantastic tour in DC - Katie was a fantastic guide!
The 11 of us enjoyed learning about the legal madams and brothels from the 1st to the 3rd class establishments. How government and military played a role in the brothels. The areas and the how they looked prior to 1901.
Very good tour and will definitely be back for another tour.
Thank you for making it a success!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Greg_e
Nov 6, 2023
Interesting and colorful historical look. Highly recommended. - Wonderful walking trip in DC on a crisp fall evening and heard a history of the area and its colorful history. Highly recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Paul_s
Oct 23, 2023
great unusual tour - Loved the history. Guide was very good at describing the photos when she realized my wife was blind.
Review provided by Viator
Michael_b
Sep 25, 2023
A great experience to get a new perspective - It was a great history lesson on the history of DC, how it grew up, and the role the sex trade played. Added a great perspective of another part of the civil war impact in the states, and good visuals of DC in the 1800s. The stories were amazing and well documented. Great experience and highly recommend for a different perspective.
Review provided by Viator
Kathleen_j
Sep 2, 2023
The tour changed my perspective on sex workers. - The Madams of DC tour is a unique perspective on the civil war era and survival.
We enjoyed the stories of the Madams and how the industry delineated the quality of the brothels based on location which was also based wealth and influence of the clientele.
After this tour I really feel that the current state of the industry should be criminal. The public’s health would be better served by making the business legal, returning control to the workers and putting Pimps out of business.
Review provided by Viator
Alina_p
Sep 2, 2023
A Must-Do 'Madams of DC' Tour with Off the Mall Tours - Just experienced the 'Madams of DC' tour by Off the Mall Tours, and I can't recommend it enough! Katie Kirkpatrick, our guide, was absolutely amazing—engaging, knowledgeable, and passionate about D.C.'s hidden history. She took us on a journey through time, revealing how madams, soldiers, and officers were the backbone of D.C.'s economy during the Civil War. With an astonishing 6% of the population in this line of work and 95% of the businesses being women-run, Katie made sure this was more than a tour—it was a revelation. If you're in D.C., this is a must-do.
Review provided by Viator
Global51150108643
Sep 1, 2023
Great walking tour option for DC! - Katie was very knowledgeable and the tour was very informative and fun! Good pace and a well timed break in the middle. Highly recommend!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Zolas2023
May 12, 2023
Not your typical boring history tour - Great tour experience! Katie was engaging and knowledgeable, as we walked she shed light on a lesser-known aspect of the city's history, with fascinating stories of the enterprising women of the Civil War era.
It was an intimate group with plenty of stops to compare the city scape of the past to the present, the historic pictures shes collected were a great touch.
Booked this tour for the same day on a solo trip to the city, the route was easily manageable with a stop midway for drinks and a break.
Highly recommend this tour and this small business for a non traditional DC history lesson.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Aoifer705
May 12, 2023
Excellent - Excellent tour with great historical context into why sex work was so prolific during the Civil War era in DC up to the temperance age and suffragette movement when it became abolished. Would absolutely recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
